rukristin’s Favorite Supplies for Creating Beautiful Gel Prints

Hi Friends! Are you ready to elevate your gel printing game? Gel printing has become one of my favorite creative techniques this past year, and I’m excited to share the supplies that have helped me dive deeper into learning what I love about this technique. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your stash, here’s a list of some go-to items for bold, expressive gel prints that add texture, color, and a bit of artistic magic to your pages.

1. Acrylic Paints

• Liquitex BASICS Acrylic Paint
• Blick Studio Acrylics

First up, a solid acrylic paint is essential for any gel printing kit. Liquitex BASICS and Blick Studio Acrylics are my top choices for vibrant, buildable layers. Both have a smooth, creamy consistency that spreads beautifully on a gel plate, creating rich, colorful backgrounds that are perfect for layering.

Why they’re great:

• Vibrant and pigmented: Both brands offer bold colors that hold up well.
• Buildable layers: Ideal for adding depth and texture to your prints.
• Affordable and high-quality: Great for experimenting without breaking the bank.

2. Sharpie Creative Markers

• Brush Tip
• Bullet Tip

Sharpie Creative Markers act just like acrylic paint but give you a whole new level of control. They’re perfect for adding detail and precision to your gel prints, especially when used with stencils. Since they dry super fast, you can layer them on quickly without worrying about smudging or waiting too long to move to the next layer.

Why they’re great:

• Acrylic-like finish: Delivers rich color similar to acrylic paint.
• High control: Great for adding precise details.
• Quick-drying: Speeds up your workflow, making layering easy.

3. Tissue Paper

• Multicolor Bleeding Art Tissue
• Single Color Tissue Paper

Tissue paper is one of my favorite tools for adding texture and unique color effects to gel prints. Multicolor Bleeding Art Tissue releases color when wet, creating spontaneous backgrounds, while single-color tissue paper is great when you want to control the colors more intentionally. Layering tissue paper over dried prints or using it as a transfer medium is just so much fun.

Why they’re great:

• Spontaneous color effects: Multicolor tissue bleeds pigment when dampened.
• Layering potential: Great for creating depth and texture.
• Color control: Single-color tissue lets you add specific hues where you want them.

4. Stencils

• Art Stencils
• Letter Stencils

Stencils are must-haves in gel printing, and having both art and letter stencils opens up endless design possibilities. I love experimenting with geometric, floral, and abstract stencils to add pattern and texture, while letter stencils allow for personalization When using letter stencils on your gel plate, you need to stencil through the back of the letter –and also arrange your letters right to left– in order for it to come out right side up on your final print.

Why they’re great:

• Versatile designs: Add layers of pattern and depth.
• Customizable text: Letter stencils let you add personal touches to your prints.
• Reusable: Easy to clean and store for future projects.

5. Brayers

• Soft Brayers (Various Sizes)
• Hard Brayer

Brayers are essential for spreading paint across the gel plate, and both soft and hard brayers have their unique advantages. A hard brayer is made from a more rigid rubber material, perfect for applying heavy pressure to achieve a smooth, even roll. I use a hard brayer on top of the clean paper to ensure maximum coverage. Soft brayers, on the other hand, are made from flexible rubber, making them better suited for detail work. They allow for even ink distribution across uneven surfaces with less pressure, which is especially helpful for using stencils and layering other textures on your gel prints. Also — brayer clean off-prints are some of the best reasons to gel print.

Why they’re great:

• Versatile options: Hard brayers provide firm, smooth rolls, while soft brayers adapt to textured surfaces.
• Controlled application: Choose based on the pressure and finish you want.
• Different sizes: Having a variety of sizes lets you experiment with coverage and detail.

6. Foam Stamps

Art Foamies

Foam stamps are a fun addition to gel printing because of their soft texture and flexibility. They make beautiful, bold impressions on the gel plate and are ideal for layering. They’re great for creating patterns, pulling paint off the plate, and so much more. I’m currently obsessed with using foam stamps to add patterns and textured shapes to my prints—they’re quick, easy, and endlessly versatile.

Why they’re great:

• Soft and flexible: Perfect for smooth, deep impressions.
• Easy to clean: Rinses off easily after each use.
• Variety of shapes: Great for experimenting with different designs and textures.

7. Papers

• Sulphite Paper
• Literally whatever you’ve got around to play with

A good-quality paper is essential for gel printing, and sulphite paper is a favorite of lots of folks. It’s smooth and absorbent, making it ideal for holding multiple layers of paint without warping. Sulphite paper is durable enough to handle a variety of media and techniques. So your paper doesn’t rip, your colors stay bright and your lines stay crisp.

Why it’s great:

• Smooth finish: Ensures clear, vibrant prints.
• Absorbent: Great for layering paint.
• Durable: Holds up to repeated prints and experiments.

I love gel printing for experimenting and having fun, and these supplies are the things I love to use most and make the entire process that much better. Whether you’re just getting started gel printing or looking to add some fun stuff to your collection, these things will set you up for fun. So, grab your brayer, pick out your favorite stencils, and start creating!